When I first started researching John C Tilly (1837-1864), I believed that his parents were Edmond and Sarah (Ferguson) Tilly from Ashe County NC. John Tilly was in the 1850 census, right age, adjacent to the county to where he later married, had children, and died. But I’ve taken another look, and now feel I had the wrong parents attached to John. I now believe that the parents of John Tilly (who married Elizabeth Johnson and then Fannie Speer) are Hampton Bynum Tilly and Cynthia C Moore.

The 1850 census shows a John Tilly, age 12, in Johnson County, TN (JCT). Also counted in this household is Smith M Tilly, age 17. They are in the household of Green Moore, and that is the name of Cynthia Moore’s brother. Also in the household is Phillip M Kiser, son of Camilla Moore, Cynthia’s sister. Smith Moore Tilly died in 1917, and his death record names his mother as Cynthia Moore. Living in JCT but in a different household in 1850 is Samuel Tilly. His death record shows parents as JH Tilley and Cynthia Moore. Also in JCT in 1850 is William C Tilly, and his Find-A-Grave page lists his parents as Hampton Bynum and Cynthia Moore Tilley. Because Cynthia and her 5 sons and 1 daughter were all in JCT in 1850, I believe that the John Tilly who was living in that county (not Ashe Co NC) was her son. In fact, all the Tillys living in JCT in 1850 were her children.

On 10 Jun, 1849, in JCT, Cynthia C Tilly married Abraham Lowe, and had three more children with him. The marriage document doesn’t identify the parents of either party, but it does place Cynthia Tilly in JCT prior to 1850. Her daughter Mary Tilly was with Cynthia and Abraham Lowe in the 1850 census, along with his children from his previous marriage (his wife had died in 1849.)

So where was Cynthia’s first husband, Hampton Bynum Tilly? I found Hampton B Tilly in the 1840 census, living in Tyrrell County, NC. The 1840 census does not list the each family member, but the genders and ages match Cynthia and the first four sons – with the last two children being born after the 1840 census.

On 9 Sept 1842, the Rasp (a newspaper from Raleigh NC) printed the following: [Terminology and spelling copied from the original paper.] DEATH BY VIOLENCE – On Friday, the 9th instant, Mr. William Martin was deprived of life by his overseer, a Mr. Tilly, near his plantation in the northern part of this county. The reported circumstances of the murder may be briefly summed up as follows: Tilly was engaged, with Martin’s slaves, in procuring some timber, and Martin having gone out to examine the operation, some misunderstanding or altercation took place between them, which resulted in Tilly’s knocking Martin’s brains out with the butt of a gun. No other person was present, except the negroes alluded to. Tilly has been committed for trial, but says he acted in self-defence. We, however, learn from a gentleman who arrived at the fatal spot before Mr. Martin’s body was removed, that the appearance of the implement of destruction, leave a strong impression against the perpetrator of the deed. Salem Gazette

The trial was held in April 1843 in Greensborough NC, and the news story identified the prisoner as Hampton B Tilly. Many witnesses testified that Tilly, employed by Martin as overseer, held ill will toward Martin, and had carried a dirk and handguns in anticipation of encountering Martin. They testified that Tilly had complained of being poorly treated by Martin, but also that Martin had made threats against Tilly. Tilly did admit to the killing, but said it was self-defense, pointing out that he didn’t try to escape, and in fact, reported the incident to neighbors. However, so many witnesses spoke of Tilly’s animosity towards Martin that the jury in only an hour agreed upon the verdict of guilty. The defense attorney, J. T. Morehead, asked for a new trial, but it was denied.

The case was appealed to the state Supreme Court. There is a note in the documents that the prisoner was insolvent, and he was allowed to appeal without posting security. The defense argued that Tilly should have been able to use his own statements, right after the event (apparently when reporting this to neighbors) as support for his claim of self-defense – this was denied. The trial judge did correctly instruct for murder (rather than manslaughter or self-defense) if the jury believed that the defendant has malice against the deceased. The fact that the deceased was a “man of high temper” was not to be considered – only whether he was a violent and dangerous man. The appeal was denied.

On 20 Oct 1843, Hampton Tilly was ordered executed by hanging. On 4 Nov 1843, the Greensborough Patriot printed the story of the public execution, almost more as an editorial rather than a strictly factual description: By 12 o’clock a great throng had gathered at the spot—in vehicles of various descriptions, on horseback, but far most on foot. All conditions, and ages, and colors were there. Conspicuous on many a bony old carryall and shaggy mule, or tiptoeing in the crowd, were the negroes, manifesting that unsophisticated and unrestrained interest which such a scene naturally inspires in such minds. Women—“delicate and tender women!” were there: but what business or what enjoyment they had, is probably best known to that potent being who visited Eden in his wrath and instilled his spirit into the bosom of mother Eve, and who must also have put it into the tender hearts of her daughters to come and see a fellow creature hung! But most painful was it to see the little boys—and some little girls too—led up by their tiny hands to “learn a lesson” – to learn a lesson!—and, merciful heaven! To learn at the gallows!

Now the tap of the drum is heard, and the “Guards,” with their arms and uniform glittering in the sunshine, file slowly through the swaying crowd, and form a hollow square at the door of the prison. The door opens, and between two officers appears the condemned man, in a long white shroud-like robe, the cap upon his head, his arms pinioned, and a rope with the hangman’s rugged knot about his neck. The silence and the stillness are profound,–every pulse bounds quicker, and every heart swells with strange emotion, as he steps into the cart and takes his seat upon the black coffin. With measured tread the Guards march away to the knell-like tap of the muffled drum, and the crowd breaks and rushes along like a swollen stream, to the lonely spot where the gallows is erected, far from the sight and the busy haunts of men. There the tide is stayed, and the throng cluster around the criminal to catch his last accents, expecting words of fearful import at that honest hour of the murderer’s life.

The rope is tied to the gallows-tree, the cap is drawn over his eyes, the cart driven away, and he swings heavily into the air—a thousand up-turned faces pale at the sight—the whole throng shivers for a moment, as though one vast heart sent a chill through every artery—and again does stillness dwell for a time over the multitude.

The reporter went on to say that Tilly’s spirit was unsubdued, that he seemed callous and lacking feelings. He talked about 45 minutes, describing his quarrels with Martin and alleging that trial witnesses had lied. The reporter said that his manner of speaking had a tendency to convince the bystanders that the verdict of the jury was correct.

Now widowed, with five little boys under the age of 11, and pregnant with Mary, Cynthia move to Tennessee and lived near other Moore family members. In 1849, she married Abraham Lowe. Tragedy struck the family again in about 1864, when Cynthia’s son John was shot and killed by marauders at his home. The rest of her Tilly and Lowe children lived long lives. Abraham Lowe died in 1873, and Cynthia in 1887.

A book written in 1992 by Bill Cecil-Fronsman, called Common Whites: Class and Culture in Antebellum North Carolina, p 62, says the following about the Tilly Case: [Original terms and spellings] In 1842 when an overseer, Hamton B. Tilly of Stokes County, was convicted of murdering his employer, William G. Martin, the community rallied to his aid. Not only did the petitions to the governor claim Tilly had acted in self-defense, they also implied that Martin deserved whatever fate he received. Martin apparently had an “over baring disposition”. If that were not enough, they noted “the supposition is that William G. Martin plases his overseers on a level with the negros.” Southern society may not have been a democracy in which all whites were each other’s social equals, but common whites thought it ought to be. The community had considerable power to enforce its code. If it approved of an individual’s response it might refuse to convict him for crimes he had committed (which was presumably why Martin’s family had Tilly tried in a different county). It might urge that he receive executive clemency. The community was defending its own version of the moral economy. When a planter violated some accepted right, the community would rally to restore it. Martin apparently violated Tilly’s right to be treated with the respect accorded white men. The community was prepared to support Tilly’s response, even when a life was taken. (76) [76. GP 105, 10-183]

The newspaper clippings did not mention Tilly’s family, although his wife was mentioned in passing by at least one witness. Nothing in the paperwork proves that Hampton was John’s father. I did do an on-line search a will, but didn’t find one. Perhaps his status as “insolvent” precluded the need for a will. The stories did identify Hampton’s father as David.

Hampton and Cynthia can be found in on-line trees at Ancestry – his birthdate is often given as 12 Nov 1805 in Stokes County NC. Sadly, for all the trees – nearly 100, none have documentation such as a birth, marriage, or death record, and just a couple have the 1840 census attached.

Hampton Tilly’s father’s will was written in 1859. While most of the elder David’s sons and daughters were recognized to greater or lesser extent, some receiving land and livestock, David only provided for (now deceased son) Hampton’s second son, David G, giving him a horse, bridle, and saddle worth $50, but Hampton’s other heirs got “one dollar and no more.” Perhaps Hampton’s family was being punished for pro-Union sympathies – as it appears that only David G Tilly served in CSA. But however the family might have been divided during the Civil War, Hampton’s sons Smith Moore Tilly and David Green Tilly both moved to Clay, Illinois, dying there in 1917 and 1918. Sons Samuel and William stayed in Johnson County TN, dying in 1926 and 1918. Daughter Mary Tilly Garland also died in JCT in 1926.

Thomas Merrill Johnson was born about 1849 in Rutland, VT, the son of William Johnson and Lorette Proctor. The family moved to the mid-west. His first wife was Sarah Catherine “Kate” Dolan. They were married in 1876 in Nebraska. They had four children, but Kate died in 1883. Thomas’ second wife was Hattie Ellen Duggan. They were married in 1883, and had nine children. Thomas and Hattie divorced in 1901 in Illinois.

Thomas Johnson is in the 1910 census, age 60, occupation house carpenter. His wife was Jennie, and years of current marriage was “0” meaning they had been married some time shortly before 26 April, the date of the census. Jennie was born in Virginia, with her father and mother being born in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Also in the household was Bertha Miller, listed as step-daughter, age 16. Bertha was born in Pennsylvania, with her father’s birth place being listed as “Ger (Yiddish)” and her mother being born in Virginia. They lived at 11 ½ Mt Vernon Avenue in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. I have not yet found the marriage record for Thomas and Jennie, but am guessing that her first married name was Miller, based on Bertha’s last name. This record says she has had nine children, with six still living.

In 1920, Tom and Jennie are back living in Rock Falls, Whiteside County, Illinois. Bertha is still living with them, and has a daughter of her own, Charlotte, who is listed as 1 year and 3 months old. Since the census was taken in early January, Charlotte was probably born about October 1918. The census says she was born in Illinois, with her father born in California (he’s not in the household) and her mother born in Pennsylvania. Tom was working as a house carpenter, and the family owned their house at 301 East 8th Street.

Thomas died in 1923. The death index lists his wife as Jennie Johnson. Who was Jennie? What happened to her after Thomas died?
I searched for a Bertha Miller, born about 1894 in Pennsylvania, with a mother Jennie Miller born about 1850. I located the household of Meyer W Miller in the 1900 census in Uniontown PA. He and Jennie had been married 33 years (so about 1867) and she was the mother of nine children, six still living. Bertha was six. Meyer was born in Germany, and this all matched Bertha’s information from the later census when she lived with her stepfather Thomas. In the 1900 census, the census takers were supposed to record the month and year of birth. This census taker took an extra step, recording the day of birth as well. Jennie was born 30 Aug 1849, and Bertha was born 14 Aug 1893. They lived at 45 Pittsburg Street.

I found the death record for Meyer W Miller. He died in 1908 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was listed as married, although the wife was not named. This indicates that Jennie was widowed so was free to marry in 1909 or early 1910, as indicated in the 1910 census with Thomas. I have not yet found the marriage record for Meyer and Jennie. Meyer is buried at Sylvan Heights, in Uniontown, and shares a headstone with children Moses and Rebecca, who died as toddlers.
In the 1880 census, Meyer and Jennie lived in Uniontown with children Julia, Fanny, Sarah, Louis, and Frederick. Included in the household was Catharine Stouffer, age 65, listed as Meyer’s mother-in-law. This indicates that Jennie’s maiden name was probably Stouffer, providing that her mother didn’t remarry at some point.

In the 1870 census, Meyer W Miller was living in Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. His wife was listed as Lydia, and daughter Julia was 2, born in Michigan. It occurred to me that Lydia might be a first wife for Meyer, although the 1900 census record says that Meyer and Jennie have been married for 33 years. Perhaps Lydia used “Jennie” as a nickname. She is the same age as Jennie, and also born in Virginia as Jennie’s records indicate.

After Thomas Johnson’s death, Jennie was listed in the 1930 census in Rock Falls, living in the same house as in 1920, with her widowed daughter Sadie Meir and her granddaughter Charlotte.

I searched for records relating to Jennie Stauffer/Stouffer, and found a death record for Mrs. Jennie Collier. She died 2 April 1932 in Uniontown, PA. Her father was Peter Stauffer, her mother Catherine Schupp. Most importantly, her birthdate is listed as 31 Aug 1849 in Virginia, which matches the 1900 census, and the 1880 census which names her mother as Catherine Stouffer. Jennie’s spouse was listed as I.B. Collier, but I have not yet identified him. Jennie’s death certificate says was buried at the Jewish Cemetery in Hopgood PA. However, Billion Graves also lists her, as Jennie W Miller, at Sylvan Heights, Uniontown, PA.
In the 1850 census, I found Peter Stouffer age 45 and Catharine Stouffer age 28, and the household included Andrew 7, Mary 5, and Lydia 2, which is consistent with the ages of Jennie and her mother as found in later records. In 1860, I found Peter, Catherine, Mary, Lydia, and Sarah in East Huntingdon, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. In 1870, I found Catherine and daughter Sarah in Tyrone, Fayette, Pennsylvania. Without Jennie’s (or Lydia’s) birth record, and a marriage record for the marriage to Thomas Johnson, it is not absolutely proven that this is the right woman, but there is a pretty good circumstantial case that this Jennie is the widow of Thomas.

I don’t know how they met, but I did find some other Stouffers living in Thomas’ home town in Illinois. Perhaps after she was widowed, Jennie was visiting relatives there and met Thomas. Having her extended family still living in Uniontown would explain why she and Thomas moved there, away from his extended family in Illinois. My guess is that her third husband, I.B. Collier was from the Uniontown area, as Collier is a common name in that area.
Jennie’s children were

1. Julia b 1868 in Michigan, still living in 1881 when she was involved in an accident – the family sued the local railway company for damages. She apparently died before 1900 as Jennie’s record says nine children born, six still living in 1900. Rebecca and Moses died in the 1880s. The other children are accounted for well after 1900.

2. Fannie b 1872 in Michigan – married Frederick Pilkey, she died in 1932. Her death certificate says that her mother, Jennie Stauffer, was born in Mt. Pleasant, PA. (Fred was a doctor of electro-therapy – he died in 1943.) She is buried at Sylvan Heights.

3. Sarah W b 1874 in Pennsylvania – apparently the Sadie Meir who was with Jennie in the 1930 census in Rock Falls

4. Louis/Lewis W b 6 June 1877 in Pennsylvania – he died 5 May 1962 and is buried in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, PA.

5. Fred Win b 20 Sep 1879 died in 1945, spouse was Elizabeth Dugan. He is buried at Sylvan Heights.

6. Alex W b 11 May 1882 – wife Flora. They named their children Julia, Alex, Ian, Florence, Jennie, Bertha, and Lewis. He was a barber. He died in 1972 and is buried at Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Uniontown.

7. Moses b 1885 d 1886 buried at Sylvan Heights

8. Rebecca b 1888 d 1889 buried at Sylvan Heights

9. Bertha b 14 Aug 1893 – in 1930 was living with brother Fred and family.

Nettie Johnson was born 12 September 1880, probably in Elkhorn, in Dodge County, Nebraska. Her parents were Thomas Merrill Johnson, who had come west from Vermont, with his parents, and Sarah Catherine “Kate” Dolan, from New York. Nettie joined two older brothers, William Thomas born about 1876, and Franklyn Ed, born in 1878. Nettie’s father was a carpenter. Her parents and brothers were counted in the 1880 census in Elkhorn, which was a small community just west of Omaha, on Nebraska’s eastern border.

Another brother, Charles, was born in 1883 in Nebraska. Nettie’s mother died 17 September 1883 in Arlington, Nebraska, a small town about 15 miles northwest of Elkhorn. Kate was buried at the Colby-Morley cemetery. I do not have a cause of death for her, but considering the timing, it may have been related to Charles’ birth. Family lore is that after Kate died, Thomas gave the four children to relatives of hers to raise. When he remarried, he tried to get the children back, but couldn’t. However, this did not happen immediately, as Thomas married Hattie Ellen Duggan about six months after Kate died. Thomas and Hattie were counted in the 1885 Nebraska state census living in the Village of Arlington. The household included his four children, plus Hattie’s first baby, Myra. I don’t know for sure which of the children were raised by Kate’s relatives. I was not able to find more information positively linked to William or Charles. By the 1900 census, Frank was living in Peoria, Nebraska. Nettie eventually had 9 half-siblings, the children of her father and step-mother Hattie. I don’t know if she maintained any contact with that branch of her family.

Nettie married Edward Spurgeon Dragoo in about 1895. I have not yet found a marriage record for them. Their first son, Edward, was born in 1897 with the 1900 census saying he was born in Missouri, while later records say Nebraska. Based on that, it is likely that Nettie and Edward were married in one of those two states. The next child, Milo Harold, was born in 1899 in Missouri.

The 1900 census lists the family as living in St. Louis, MO. They lived in a rented house with number 2247 but I could not find the street name on the census sheets. Edward was a carpenter. Louretta had 2 children, both still living. The household included Edward’s uncle Joseph Fouts (or maybe Forts), and all the adults could read and write. The 1900 city directory said that Edward was a carpenter for Hammond Packing Co, and they lived in South St. Joseph.

By 1910, the family had moved to Tarkio, MO, Edward’s home town, and they lived on Fourth Street. Edward was working as a well borer. Nettie reported that she had given birth to four children, all living. Actually, the census lists five children. The youngest were Johnny born in 1904, Alice born in 1907 and Earl born in 1909. The uncle was still part of the household. Another child, Christopher Clyde, was born in 1912. The Tarkio town website at http://www.tarkiomo.com/history.htm has a nice collection of historic photographs of the era.

The family moved to Pine River, MN, and daughter Loretta Blanche was born there in 1915. Nettie then had a son, Carroll, born in 1918. The family was counted in the 1920 census living in nearby Wilson, MN, a small town in the central part of the state. Edward was a farmer, and the two oldest sons, Edward and Harold were farm laborers. Nettie’s last child, Margaret, was born in 1924 in Minnesota.

In 1930, Nettie was listed as a widow. There is an Edward S Dragoo whose headstone says 1864-1928 buried at the Alliance Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska, and this is likely her husband. Alliance is in the western part of the state. At this point, Nettie may have still had four children under the age of 18. I haven’t found any records after the 1920 census connected to her son Carroll, so I don’t know if he was still living. In 1930, Nettie was living in Sharp, Nebraska, working as a servant for Ruby Hammond and her household. Blanche and Margaret lived with their mother in the same household.

Some time after 1930, Nettie married a widower, Samuel W McKeehan, a farmer. The 1940 census lists them living in Elm, in northeastern Nebraska. The census says that she was in the same house in 1935. This could mean that she was married by 1935, or that she worked in his household, or that the census taker assumed that she was in the same household, since she was the wife. Her daughter Margaret lived with them.

I do not have a death date for Samuel, but the 1948 Omaha city directory lists Nettie McKeehan as widow of SW McKeehan. She lived at 3108 Davenport, apartment 103. It appears that this appartment complex is still in use. Nettie’s son Milo died in 1941 in Aberdeen, WA. Her son Edward died in 1952 in Hot Springs, SD. I have no records for Alice after the 1920 census. Her daughters Loretta “Blanche” and Margaret died after 1940. John died in 1990 in Georgia. Earl died in 1992 in Tilden, Nebraska. Christopher “Clyde” died in 1989 in Billings, MT.

John H Tilly was born about 24 March 1864 in Johnson County TN. His parents were John C Tilly and Francis “Fanny” Speer. John joined older half-siblings, Mary Henrietta and Albert Newton Tilly, children of John C’ deceased first wife, Elizabeth Johnson. John H had a twin brother, William Crawford Tilly. I have not been able to determine what the “C” stands for in their father’s name – perhaps Crawford?

This particular part of Tennessee was more pro Union than Confederacy, but was the southern sympathizers were nearby. During the Civil War, John’s father was away from home. I have not found a record that he was a soldier, but he may have been a scout for the federal forces. He received word that a son was ill and returned home. The following story was published in “Thrilling Adventures of Daniel Ellis” published in 1867 and describes the murder of John’s father.

A man by the name of John Tilly also fell a victim to Bill Parker’s vengeance, and was savagely murdered in the following manner: Tilly had been scouting for some time, and one of his twin children was taken violently ill, and was not expected to live; he had come to the house to see his sick child, and was nursing it in his lap when Parker and his gang of murderers road up to the house. He laid his child down, and went out in the yard and surrendered, when Parker drew out his pistol and shot at him, giving him a severe wound in the head. He was now convinced that they intended to kill him, and asked them only to allow him a few minutes to pray. But they returned him no answer and continued to shoot at him. The poor fellow now turned to run, but he soon fell to the ground, his body having been pierced through with ten balls. His wife now ran toward her murdered husband, screaming and crying with wild and frantic agony, when one of those incarnate devils seized hold of his gun and knocked her down by the side of her dead husband. His little children cried and begged for their father all the time, but as well might they have raised their tiny hands and feeble voices to calm the raging storm in its mad career, as to endeavor to stop this gang of rebel demons in their bloody work of murder. After waiting until their victim had breathed his last, these manslayers went on their way laughing at the terrible misery they had left behind them, and looking forward in search of more human blood.

Family lore is that John’s mother Fannie was raped and beaten and left for dead. She survived but was scared of people for a really long time. She stated that the soldiers killed her husband because they believed that he was a spy. Since the twins were just infants, we can infer that the children crying for their father were Albert and Mary. John’s twin brother William did die about that time.

There is a record of a William C Crosswhite marrying a Frances F Tilly in Johnson County. I have only seen the index. It does not list parents for Frances, or a marital status, so I am not sure if this is John’s mother and a step-father. There is also information on a posted tree that Fannie may have married a man named Ellsworth Speers, but I have not found that record. However, it might explain why she had more children named Speer – not her maiden name but a subsequent married name.

The 1870 census lists John as John Speare. John lived with his mother, her parents, and her sister Armenia and children in Pandora, in Johnson County TN.

The 1880 census lists John Tilly with his mother Fannie Tilly in Johnson County, with his half-siblings, Troy 13, Lawra 9, and Virginia, 7. John’s mother listed her marital status as widowed.

Rosa May Nave was born 24 October 1880 in Johnson County TN. One posted tree lists her as the daughter of John C Nave and Mary Goodwin. Being born after the 1880 census was taken, she first shows up in the 1900 census with John Nave and his wife Genettie. Some posted trees list Genettie as Rosa’s mother, but I do not believe this is accurate. The 1900 census says that Genettie has been married 12 years, but several of the children are older than 12. That record also says that Genettie has had four children, three still living. Seven children are listed, so presumably the first four are from John’s previous marriage. I did find a marriage record for John Nave and Mary Goodwin in Johnson, TN in 1879, and Rosa was born 10 months later.

John H Tilly married Rosa May Nave on 10 January in Doeville, Johnson County TN. The record does not name parents, but a JC Speer posted the marriage bond with John. His grandfather John was already deceased, so perhaps JC Speer was an uncle, or some other relative of his mother.

John went west and homesteaded. On 3 April 1893, he was granted 160 acres in sections 17 and 20, in Township 9S, range 23E. This is up the John Day River, west of Spray OR. He was counted there in the 1900 census, which was taken in June. He was employed as a farm hand and was part of the household of Robert R Keys. The Keys family was probably well-to-do, as the family included four servants. Rosa was still living with her father’s family in 1900. The town of Waldron was named after the Waldron family that settled in central Oregon. The post office there was open from 1879-1902, and it appears that the town is gone now, except for the school house.

John Tilley was granted 160 acres of homestead lands in Section 7, Township 9, Range 23E, on 13 July 1907. This near or adjacent to the property in section 17. On 26 July 1909, May received a homestead grant in nearby Township 8. This property was not adjacent to the property homesteaded by John.

John and Rosa (later called May) had three children: George Clarence (1905-1974), Edward (1902-1985), and Ethel (1907-2003). The 1910 census shows the Tilley family at Township 9, Wheeler County, OR. John owned a farm. On 18 July, 1912, May received a homestead land grant in section 18, adjacent to the other property already claimed. The 1915 Oregon Sportsman report listed John H Tilley of Fossil as having raised 24 Chinese or Ring-necked pheasants, and liberated them to establish the species in the area. He was the only person from Wheeler County in the list.

In 1920, they were listed in Service Creek, OR, and John was listed as operator of a truck farm. The record indicates that he could read and write. The census records also indicate that he lived in a neighborhood where most people were from Tennessee and Virginia. John’s half-brother Albert Tilley homesteaded a few miles away.

On 18 May 1925, John received 160 acres of homestead lands in sections 6 and 7, adjacent to his other property. He also received 314 acres as authorized by the Homestead Entry-Stock-Raising. His property was all west of Spray, along the John Day River.

John died 28 January 1929 in Wheeler county.

The 1930 census shows Rosa and the three children living in Spray, OR. Edward was a farm laborer, George was a laborer for the state highway department (and that department became his life career). Ethel was a teacher.

Rosa died 16 May 1963, and both are buried at the IOOF cemetery in Fossil, OR.

Lorette Proctor Johnson was born 7 December 1890 in Arlington, Nebraska, the fifth child of Hattie Ellen Dugan and Thomas Merrill Johnson. She was named for her father’s mother, Lorette Proctor, who married William Johnson. Lorette eventually had eight siblings, plus four half brothers and sisters from her father’s first marriage, and three more from her mother’s second marriage. Thomas and Hattie moved to Washington but didn’t like the climate, so moved back to the Midwest. Two of Lorette’s sisters, Julia and Ruby, became ill and died on the trip back.

In 1900, the Johnson family lived in Nebraska. Thomas was a carpenter, and the children were at school. A couple years later, Lorette’s parents divorced after her father shot at her mother, and ended up in prison for assault. Hattie moved west, and eventually married Frederick Golden on 1 April 1905 in Rathdrum, Idaho. Six weeks later, on 19 June 1905, Lorette married Otto Antone Johnson (no relation) in Rathdrum.

I have not been able to find Lorette in the 1910 census. I have not been able to identify the correct Otto Johnson in that census.

Lorette went to California, and in 1911, married Thomas B O’Reilly. I have not been able to find that record, or any more information about him.

In 1920, Laura O’Reilly lived with her sister Alice Johnson Keen, at 242 West Cherry, in Walla Walla, WA. She listed her marital status as married, but Thomas was not with her. She was employed as a nurse and cook for a private family. Besides Alice, her husband, and their children, the family included half-brothers Fred and Lloyd Golden.

Lorette went to Vancouver BC, and there married Thomas John Carter, son of John Carter and Ann Stephenson, on 5 July 1921. The record lists her as spinster, although she was actually married at least twice before. I don’t know if she was widowed or divorced. Thomas was supposedly born in 1879 at Fort Scott, Kansas.

Lorette and Thomas had at least one child, Thomas Willard Carter (1925-2005). In 1930, they lived in Alto, in Columbia County Washington. The census address was “no name” for the road, but was near Whetstone-Alto road. Thomas reported his birth place as Missouri, and they operated a wheat farm. They had two hired men, Donald Craps and JT Anderson, who lived with them and worked on the farm. I looked for Alto, about 12 miles northwest of Dayton, on Google Earth, and found only a wide spot in the road with a grain elevator. Alto got its name because it was the summit of the divide between Whetstone Hollow and Tucanon.

Lorette died 1 November 1939, not quite 49 years old, in Dayton, WA. The death record does not list a cause of death. She was buried at the Dayton city Cemetery. Thomas died in 1972, and is buried next to Lorette.

Reuben Jones was born 10 May 1810 in Patrick County, Virginia. A later marriage record names his mother as Susan Jones, but no father was named. One tree on Ancestry has named his father as Jeremiah, another as Gabriel, and I have used the Ancestry on-line contact service to see what sources they have used to determine that Jeremiah, or Gabriel, is Reuben’s father.

On 19 October 1829, Reuben married Judith (Judy, Juda) Moore, daughter of William Moore and Rebecca Tebur, in Patrick County. William Moore was the suretor. According to About.com: In earlier times, a marriage bond was given to the court by the intended groom prior to his marriage. It affirmed that there was no moral or legal reason why the couple could not be married and it also affirmed that the groom would not change his mind. If he did, and did not marry the intended bride, he would forfeit the bond. The bondsman, or surety, was often a brother or uncle to the bride, not necessarily a parent. The bondsman could also be related to the groom, or even be a neighbor or friend, but those situations occurred less often.

The 1850 census shows the Jones family in the Northern District of Patrick County. Neither Reuben nor Judith could read or write, and Reuben was a farmer. They had a large family: Isaac (b 1832), Addie Matilda (1834), Floyd (1836), Abigail (1837), Sarah (1839), Thomas Madison (1841) Peter (1844) and Robert (1845). Peter may have died young as he was not in the 1850 census.

Judith died some time after the 1850 census, and Reuben remarried 1 March 1859 to Elizabeth Knowles, age 37, daughter of J and Jane Knowles. They were married in Patrick County.

The 1860 census lists Reuben with Elizabeth, and his two youngest sons, Thomas and Robert. He was listed as a farmer, but had no value of real estate listed, and only $75 worth of personal property. I have no record of Elizabeth having any children with Reuben, and she died sometime before 1863.

Reuben moved to Ashe County, North Carolina. About 1863, Reuben married a third time, to Rebecca Greer, daughter of Elijah Greer and Sarah Hawkins. The 1870 census lists them at the North Fork postal district of Laurel NC. Reuben had no occupation listed, no value of property owned, and only $100 worth of personal property. Reuben and Rebecca had seven children – Jesse (1864), Elizabeth (1865), Judith (1866), Sarah (1867), Martha Ellen (1868), Margaret (1869), and Noah (1871).

In 1880, the Jones family lived in Oldsfield, in Ashe County NC. Reuben was listed as a farmer. The children still at home were Jesse, Juda, Martha, Margaret, and Noah.

Reuben died 27 October 1887 and is buried at the Ruben Jones Family Cemetery in Creston NC. With at least 15 children, he and his descendants could certainly fill a family cemetery. (Actually, Find-A-Grave lists 83 Jones cemeteries in North Carolina, but I could not find Reuben or his cemetery listed.) Rebecca lived with her son Jesse, and was with him in the 1900 and 1910 census in Clifton NC. I do not have a death record for her although an on-line family tree says she died in 1913.

Henry Funk was a Swiss Mennonite, and was born in Zürich, Switzerland. He was part of the immigration to Pennsylvania, where on 27 September 1717, a warrant for 550 acres of land was issued to Henry and John Funk.

Henry was named in the “First Naturalization List In Lancaster County (Some Men From Philadelphia County)”

An Act For the Better Enabling Divers Inhabitants Of The Province of Pennsylvania to Hold Lands, And to Invest Them With The Privileges Of Natural-Born Subjects Of the Said Province.

Whereas by the encouragement given by the Honorable William Penn Esquire, late proprietary and governor of the province of Pennsylvania, and by the permission of his late Majesty, King George the First, of blessed memory and his predecessor, Kings and Queens of England, etc., divers Protestants who were subjects to the Emperor of Germany, a prince in amity with the Crown of Great Britain, transported themselves and estates in the province of Pennsylvania between the years one thousand seven hundred and one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, and since they came hither have contributed very much to the enlargement of the British Empire and to raising and improving sundry commodites fit for the markets of Europe, and always behaved themselves religiously and peaceably, and have paid a due regard and obedience to laws and government of this province….

Section I – Be it enacted by the Honorable Patrick Gordon Esquire, Governor of the province of Pennsylvania, etc., by and with the advice of the freeman of the said Province, in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That Henry Funk, [and numerous other names] be and shall be to all intents and purposes deemed, taken and esteemed His Majesty’s natural-born subjects of this province of Pennsylvania as if they and each of them had born within the said province, and shall and may and every one of them shall and may within this province, and shall and may and every one of them shall and may within this province take, receive, enjoy and be entitled to all rights, privileges and advantages of natural born subjects of this province as fully to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever as any of His majesty’s natural born subjects of this province can, do or ought to enjoy by virtues of their being His Majesty’s natural born subjects of His Majesty’s said province of Pennsylvania.

This motion passed February 14, 1729. It was apparently never considered by the Crown but allowed to become law by lapse of time, in accordance with the Proprietary Charter.

Lorette Proctor was born 13 December 1824 in Rutland VT, the seventh of eight children of Philip Proctor and Dorcas Dimmick. Philip was from Groton MA, and Dorcas from Sullivan NH. They were married in Sullivan, and the first six children were born there. Sometime after 1819, Philip moved the family to Rutland, where Lorette and Willard were born. The family lived on a farm on Durgy Hill Road in West Rutland. In 1831 Philip sold that farm and it became the town’s poor farm.

On 7 February 1844, Lorette married William Johnson. I have not identified his parents, except in later census records he reported that his parents were both born in VT. William was born 26 December 1820 in Rockingham VT.

The last record we have of Lorette’s father dates to 1845, where he signed papers relating to the sale of land. History books about Sullivan say he went to Illinois.

Lorette and William’s first son was born in 1845, but only lived about three weeks. Lydia Ann was born in 1846, William Wallace in 1847, and Thomas Merrill in 1849 in Rutland.

By 1850, Lorette and William had moved their family to Sandgate VT. William was a farmer, and his farm was valued at $600. Besides the above-listed children, the household included Jay Johnson age 8, and James Johnson age 7. In 1850, the census did not list family relationships. I suspect that they are not Lorette’s children because they were born before her marriage. They might be William’s sons from a previously unidentified prior marriage, or they could be his younger brothers, or perhaps nephews. Maybe researching these boys further will lead me to William’s parents, from another angle. Antoinette Isabella was born in 1852.

In 1850, Lorette’s mother Dorcas was still living in the east, with her son Willard, in Rutland, and her father Philip’s location is not known. It has been hypothesized that he might have helped facilitate a movement of Vermonters to Illinois. A look at a map shows that Vermont town names were applied in Illinois. At any rate, William and Lorette moved west to Illinois, and son James Philip was born there in 1855. William Johnson is a common name, but I could not find one that felt was this family in the 1855 state census.

Lorette and her family were counted in the 1860 census in Lyndon, in Whiteside County, IL. William was a farmer, with his real estate valued at $1200, and personal property at $225. This was about average for the area. Two more children were born – a son in 1863 who only lived a day, and the youngest, Lilly Gay, in 1866.

The Illinois state census of 1865 was designed similarly to early federal censuses, where only the head of household is named, and the rest of the family is counted by age/gender. I did find a census record for Wm Johnson in Hahnaman, in Whiteside County, and the ages did correspond pretty well with the younger children, and Lorette and William. The value of livestock was $560, and the value of crops was $250. There was another William Johnson in nearby Mount Pleasant, and the ages of his family members also corresponded to this family.

Lorette’s mother Dorcas died 15 December 1865 in Rutland, IL. The state census listed Lorette’s younger brother Willard has having an older woman in the family, probably Dorcas as she was with his family in New Rutland IL in 1860. A history written about the area mentioned Willard, and described his parents as being buried near their farm. Dorcas was buried at Rutland IL, so it is presumed that Philip did die in Illinois, although that record has not yet been found.

Lorette is next seen in the Hahnaman census in 1870, so I believe that the 1865 census for Hahnaman is the correct family in the state census. In 1870 William was still a farmer, with his farm now valued at $2500, and personal property at $1050.

In 1880, Lorette and William lived in Hahnaman. William was still a farmer. The only child still at home was Lillie G, age 14. The household included Charles Black, their servant who worked on the farm.

Other than the two sons who died as infants, all of Lorette’s children married and all but one had had children.

Lydia married George Dir, and they had 13 children. Lydia died in 1822.

William married Lavina Leota Colton, and had three children.

Thomas married Sarah Catherine Dolan and had four children, then Hattie Dugan and had nine, then Jennie Miller.

Antoinette married Charles Robinson, but died at age 20.

James married Catherine Thome and had four children.

Lilly Gay married Catherine’s brother Anthony Thome, and had six children.

Lorette died 21 September 1885, at the age of 60. She was buried in the IOOF section of the Coloma Township Cemetery, in Coloma IL.

Last Will of Lorette Johnson

I Lorette Johnson, of Coloma, Whiteside Ill do make this my last will in manner following to wit.

First – I desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid with convenient speed.

I give and bequeath to my dear husband Wm Johnson all my estate both real and personal of every kind & character to be used for his own benefit during his lifetime with full power to sell and dispose of said estate for his maintenance and support as he may deem wise and prudent (except as hereinafter reserved and provided) and at his death I desire that whatever part or portion of said estate may remain be divided equally share and share alike among our children Lydia A Dir of Hahmaman Ills Wm Wallace Johnson of Grinnell Iowa, Thomas Merrill Johnson of Arlington, Neb. James P Johnson of Grafton Neb. and Lillie Gay Johnson of Rock Falls Ills, after first paying out of said remainder to Lillie Gay Johnson one dollar and one half per week for all the time she remained at home and assisted in household affairs after she arrived at the age of eighteen years.

I further direct that said Lillie Gay Johnson shall have my sewing machine – her choice of my beds including springs – ticking feter bed & suitable bedding for the same and the quilt her grandmother pieced.

I further direct that my daughter Lydia Ann Dir shall have the picture of her grand mother Proctor and that all other personal property including furniture, dishes, wearing apparel etc be equally divided between my two daughters above mentioned share and share alike or to their children in case of the death of either of them before my demise.

I further give to James P Johnson the two volumes of the cottage Bible once the property of his grandfather Proctor.

I constitute and appoint Augustus Allen of Sterling Ills to be executor of this will. In witness whereof I the said Wm Johnson have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of April A D 1885.

Lorette Johnson ((Seal))

Then and there signed sealed, published and declared by the said Lorette Johnson as and for her last will and testament in presence of us who at her request, in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Isaac I Bush Geo W Chamberlin, witnesses

State of Illinois, Whiteside County

I, E W Payne clerk of the county court of Whiteside county, do hereby certify that the foregoing last will and testament of the within named Lorette Johnson, was this day duly proved in open court and was admitted to probate herein and was ordered to be recorded in the record of wills in and for said county. Witness my hand and the seal of said court at my office in Morrison this 7th day of September 1889. E W Payne, Clerk, by W A Payne, Deputy

The will makes reference to a photograph of “her grandmother Proctor” who would have to be Dorcas, plus Philip’s bible. I don’t know who has those family heirlooms now – I would love to see them!

William Johnson died 17 Feb 1903 in Rock Falls IL, and was buried with Lorette.

Fred Golden was born 27 April 1860, in New York (probably in NYC). His death record lists his parents as John Golden and Jane Ferris. I was not able to find Fred’s actual birth record, nor was I able to find him in the 1860 census, which was taken in June. His birth record was calculated from his age as recorded on his death record, and I suspect the person providing the information may have been off a year or two. I did find a John and Jane Golden (with sons David and Albert) living in Yonkers in 1860. They did not have a son named Fred, uless he was born later, so I don’t know for sure that they are his family.

In 1870, there was a Frederick Golden, age 10, in a house of reformation in NYC. I could not find John and Jane. Albert and David were in Yonkers with another family. Perhaps both parents died between 1860 and 1870.

The 1875 Minnesota State Census lists Fred Golden, living in Blakely. He was born in 1860, living in the A.D. and Gratia Ferris household. Perhaps these are relatives of his mother, but relationships were not listed.

The 1880 census lists Frederick Golden living in Sweet, in Pipestone County, Minnesota. He was a farm hand, living in the Whitehead household.

I do not have a marriage date for Frederick Golden and Jeanette “Nettie” Giles, but they were together the 1885 Minnesota state census, living in Troy. Fidelia Ferris, age 78, was also in the household. These records did not list occupations.

Fred and family are listed in the 1895 state census in Pipestone city. For some reason, Fred’s birthplace was listed as Illinois – perhaps he provided false information, perhaps the census taker just made a mistake. Fred was a carpenter. Daughter Hazel was 3, and son Allen was 9 months old. Another daughter had been born in 1889, but died a short time later.

FN Golden is listed in the 1900 census on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Teton county, Montana. He lived in a boarding house, and was a carpenter. Many people on this census page worked for the railroad, and perhaps his job was related to that construction. This record says that he was married 16 years ago, or about 1884, which is consistent with Fred and Nettie being listed in the 1885 census.

Family lore is that Fred worked on the railroad, and the family eventually moved to the Kalispell, Montana area. Fred left Jeanette for another woman with a family. Jeanette (Nettie) took the children back to Minnesota before the railroad learned she was no longer authorized to use his family pass. She married Clayton Garthwaithe on 10 June 1905 in Pipestone, and they moved to Alexandria, MN. She died there on 17 December 1910, and is buried at Old Woodlawn Cemetery in Sweet, MN.

Hattie Ellen (Duggan) Johnson was the “other woman”. She had been married to Thomas Johnson, but divorced him after he shot at her and went to prison. She took her younger unmarried children to Kalispell, MT, to live with her mother’s father, Adam Hetrick, but he had remarried and Hattie did not feel welcome there. It was probably here that she met Fred Golden. They were married 1 April 1905 in Rathdrum, near Coeur d’Alene, ID. Hattie had been step-mother to Thomas Johnson’s four children from his first marriage. She had nine of her own with Thomas Johnson. She and Fred had three children: Frederick Newell (1904-1980), Floyd Orville (1905-1981) and Florence Gertrude (1907-1967).

Fred’s family moved west again, and in 1910, lived in Ione, WA. Fred was a farmer with a general farm. Hattie’s two youngest daughters, Anna Maria and Hattie Quintilla Johnson were in the household, but were listed with last name Golden.

Hattie died on 21 April 1916 in Meadow Lake near Spokane WA, and is buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Frederick N Golden died 8 September 1917 in Tacoma.

Thomas Johnson was born about July 1794 in Russell County, Virginia, the son of Thomas H Johnson and Francis Dickenson. The Johnson family moved to Carter County, Tennessee. On 16 October 1817, the younger Thomas H Johnson married Delilah Wilson, in Carter county, the daughter of William and Rachel Wilson. I was not able to find the Thomas Johnson in the earliest census records.

Because of the geography of the area, it was difficult for people in that part of Carter County to get to the county seat to conduct business. The elder Johnson led the movement to create another county. Although he died before it was approved, the new county was named Johnson in his honor.

The court records of Johnson County show that the first session of the County Court was held on May 2, 1836, with the following magistrates: John Ward, Thomas Johnson, A. L. Wilson, Jared Arendill, J. W. Warren, Joseph Robinson, James W. Wright, A. Wilson, James Brown, Jesse Cole, Levi Heath, M. M. Wagner, John Dugger, Sr., and Philip Shull. The elder Thomas Johnson died about 1835, so the magistrate named is probably his son, the subject of this posting.

The 1840 United States Federal Census for the newly created Johnson County lists only the head of the household, but lists the number of people, male or female, in certain age groups. We can match the children to the census:

The 1850 census lists the Johnson family living in District 1 of Johnson County. Besides Thomas and Delilah, the children still at home are Rachel, Seraphina, John, and Catherine. Thomas’ mother Rachel, age 91, lives with them.

The 1850 slave ownership list shows that Thomas and Delilah owned 1 black male age 33, 1 black female age 17, and 1 mulatto male age 1. In this census, slaves were counted but names were not recorded.

The 1860 census lists the family in Johnson County, living at Words Forge. Thomas is a farmer with real estate valued at $3000 and personal property at $5400. Catherine is the only child still at home.

The 1860 Slave Owners list shows that Thomas Johnson owned 1 black male age 45, one black female age 30, and three male mulattos, age 11, 8, and 1. Again, the slaves are not named, so I cannot tell if these are the same people from the 1850 census.

Thomas was listed in the 1862 IRS tax assessment list. He had 609 acres, valued at $2600, taxed at $9.10.

Thomas’ wife Delilah died 24 March 1869 in Mountain City, Johnson County TN. She is buried at Laurel Creek in the Johnson cemetery.

In 1870, Thomas lived in Taylorsville (another name for Mountain City). He was the head of the household, and his daughter Catherine and her husband and children lived with them. Thomas still listed his occupation as farmer, with real estate valued at $800 and personal property at $400. I wonder if the Civil War had an effect on his property value.

Thomas died 3 September 1872 in Laurel Bloomery, and is also buried at the Johnson cemetery.